As we wrap up March, it’s not just the blooming spring weather that brings joy. I recently wrapped a significant project and am eager to chat about this week’s highlights in the world of AR and VR. Plus, a quick nod to all the excitement surrounding "Studio Ghibli" and AI discussions.
Weekly Highlights
Samsung’s XR Glasses on the Horizon?
There’s chatter coming from Korea’s ETNews about Samsung possibly launching new XR glasses this year. While it’s not entirely clear if these will be AR glasses or smartglasses, they’re rumored to be user-friendly with integrated cameras and sensors for environmental interaction. The project carries the codename "Haen," which translates to "coast" in Korean. Samsung’s been in the XR gadgetry talks previously, so it’s exciting to see what they bring to the table. The anticipation grows, especially if Project Moohan also sees the light of day this year.
Vivo’s New MR Headset Unveiling
Vivo, the smartphone powerhouse, is stepping into the XR scene with their latest mixed reality headset, the Vivo Vision. While details are sparse, the design heavily mirrors the Vision Pro, right down to the name. The full reveal is slated for mid-2025, adding another player to the thriving XR marketplace.
Meta’s Quest Prediction
Chris Pruett’s conversation at GDC stirred some thoughts last week about Quest’s lean towards free-to-play, primarily due to a younger demographic. This week, an article on Meta’s blog highlighted an interesting shift: a growing segment of adult users adopting Quest for media experiences rather than hardcore gaming. Typically in their 30s, these users see VR as an advanced platform for enjoying films, sports events, and concerts. With Meta predicting their significant presence by 2027, there could be a shift in focus towards entertainment-centric content, aligning with Apple’s Vision Pro ambitions.
Upcoming Apple Event
Mark your calendars! Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on June 9th, where they might introduce visionOS 3 packed with exciting new features. Unfortunately, this event clashes with AWE, so some tough choices lie ahead for tech enthusiasts.
Pimax’s New Release
Pimax is gearing up to ship its high-resolution Pimax Crystal Super on April 7th, delivering on their promise of cutting-edge VR experiences sooner than later.
Spring Savings with PlayStation
Sony’s vibrant PlayStation Spring Sale is ongoing until April 23rd, with a lineup featuring over 60 PlayStation VR2 titles. Time to snag some great games!
WebXR Recognition at The Polys
Celebrating its 5th installment, The Polys honored this year’s top WebXR innovations, spotlighting the impressive potential of this emerging technology.
Exploring Valve’s Content Strategy
An editorial by David Heaney sheds light on Valve’s apparent stalling in the XR content space post its major release, Alyx, five years ago. Given their resources and community-standing, it’s perplexing to see sparse activity from them in driving VR developments.
Innovations with Quest’s Camera Access
Developers are having a field day with Quest’s new camera access. Creative uses range from transposing real-world elements into the virtual realm to enhanced lighting effects for immersive experiences.
Content Round-Up:
ILM and Lucasfilm are crafting a new Star Wars mixed reality saga set for Quest platforms. Meanwhile, the VR extension for Hitman World of Assassination is gaining positive traction. Unfortunately, there’s some disappointment as Meta nixes System Shock 2 VR plans, amidst rumors of broader project cancellations.
Upcoming Releases and Updates:
- HARD BULLET shooter sandbox lands on Quest 3 this spring.
- Orion Drift’s major update unveils the ‘Capture the Beacon’ mini-game.
- Elements Divided brings Avatar-themed action to VR platforms.
- Onward’s long-awaited 2.0 update is out now.
- No Man’s Sky expands with the RELICS update, embracing alien paleontology.
Reviews and Reactions:
Pinball FX VR impresses with its immersive MR/VR experience, and Boxed Out offers a delightful puzzle play reminiscent of Tetris. Although still under development, Roboquest VR is shaping up to be a promising adaptation of its flatscreen predecessor.
Intriguing Tidbits
There’s a whole host of other engaging developments, from Napster’s acquisition by Infinite Reality to Meta’s new AI model for generating volumetric worlds. Each of these updates signals exciting times ahead for the XR community.
Support for Ukraine
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(Header image by Vivo)
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